A Guide to Pursuing a Massage Therapy Career

Pursuing a career in massage therapy could be the perfect path for you.

Are you looking for a career that will allow you to help people manage stress and pain and improve their overall health? Are you interested in alternative healthcare? Can you see yourself working in a variety of settings with a flexible schedule? If so, a massage therapy career may be able to combine several of these interests and skills. Depending on what your individual preferences are, there are several unique paths this career choice could take.

Massage therapists work in a wide range of different places, some of which include: fitness clubs, hotels, spas, chiropractic offices, doctor offices, holistic health centers, nursing homes, sports clubs and even their own homes or clients’ homes. Clients’ needs may vary depending on the type of clients you take on. If you develop your own private practice this choice can be left entirely up to you. If you work for an office or resort, you may want to consider a program of study that will prepare you for a wide range of potential clients.

The economic outlook for a massage therapy career is a positive one. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2008 to 2018 employment is projected to increase in this field by nineteen percent. Depending on skill level, experience and location of practice, salaries in this field can vary. More information on salaries can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. As the public interest in alternative healthcare continues to increase, available positions for massage therapists may also increase. As a type of art as well as a type of science, this career choice is suited to a range of people. If you’re considering several different options for your first career or looking for a change in your current work, a massage therapy career could be a strong choice.

Learning the art and science of massage therapy can be fun and engaging. With over eighty different types of massage, the learning can go on and on. Different expertise areas could include: reflexology, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and Swedish massage. At Harris School of Business, we offer our massage therapy program of study at our Dover and Wilmington locations in Delaware. Our courses include: Science of Touch, Business of Massage Therapy, Art of Massage Therapy, and Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals. While we do not certify students through our program, the education you’ll receive at Harris can serve to prepare you to go on and receive the necessary certification required to practice massage therapy.